Ladder Back Settees
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Loveseats
Walnut
Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Benches
Leather, Maple
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Painted Furniture
Wood
Antique 1790s French Directoire Benches
Rush, Cherry
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Settees
Rush, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Settees
Wood
20th Century French French Provincial Benches
Rush, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Country Benches
Rush, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century French Settees
Rush, Wood
Antique 1890s French Benches
Rush, Walnut
Vintage 1930s French Country Benches
Rush, Walnut
Early 20th Century Shaker Benches
Rattan, Pine
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Benches
Rush, Walnut
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Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Benches
Bronze, Wrought Iron
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables
Mohair, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Benches
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Country Benches
Oak, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern End Tables
Wood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Rush, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Benches
Wood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Benches
Rush, Beech
Antique 19th Century Swedish Country Benches
Iron
20th Century American Country Benches
Rush, Maple
Early 20th Century American American Classical Benches
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Rustic Benches
Wood
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ladder back chairs have a timeless design that was popular in several eras. Early examples date back to the Middle Ages. The wooden chairs became very popular in colonial America and England during the 17th century. Shop a range of antique and vintage ladder back chairs on 1stDibs.
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